By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
17 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, November 19, 2020

    4:00 to 8:00 pm and

    Friday, November 20, 2020

    9:00 to 10:30 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Friday, November 20, 2020

    11:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Jerome “Jerry” Beckmann, 74, of Highland, IL, died Monday, November 16, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.

    Jerry was born July 18, 1946, to Fred and Elizabeth (nee Wessel) Beckmann in Bartelso, IL.  On January 30, 1970, he married Marilyn Kalmer in Damiansville, IL.

    Jerry was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.  He was also a member of the American Legion, Beckemeyer, IL, and the NRA.  He worked as an airline mechanic retiring from American Airlines after 41 years of service to the industry.

    He enjoyed playing cards, 4-wheeling, camping, boating, and hunting.  He was a hardworking man and enjoyed life.  He loved his children and grandchildren.  He also enjoyed playing golf in his retirement and the “Hayride” on WGEL.

    He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Beckmann, Highland, IL; children, Janice (Daryl) Brokering, Highland, IL, Cheryl (Kevin Venhaus) Beckmann, Highland, IL, Donna (Jeff) Kopsic, Highland, IL, Lori (Clayton) Stevens, Allendale, IL, and Jared (Jessica) Beckmann, St. Jacob, IL; grandchildren, Ashley Schrage, Jessica (fiance’, Jason Wiegand) Schrage, Lance and Alyssa Brokering, Taylor, Katherine and Adeline Venhaus, Clayton and Abigail Kopsic, Alexia, Madison and Presley Stevens, Bret Beckmann; great-granddaughter, Raelynn Toennies; sisters, Johanna Diekemper, Helen Heidenrich, Blanche Brueggemann; brothers, Leo Beckmann, Alfred (Helen) Beckmann; sisters-in-law, Virginia Beckmann, Bernette Beckmann.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Elizabeth Beckmann; daughter, Traci Beckmann, in infancy; brothers, Pete Beckmann, Dominic Beckmann, Alois Beckmann; sister, Mary Mueller; brothers and sisters-in-law, Matt Diekemper, Joe Mueller, Leona Beckmann, Louis Heidenrich, Margie Beckmann, Joe Brueggemann.

    Memorials may be made to The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis.

    Visitation: Thursday, November 19, 2020, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday, November 20, 2020, from 9:00 to 10:30 am at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, November 20, 2020, at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Pat Jakel, Pastor.

    Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

17 Condolences
 
  1. Gary Reynolds / November 18, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    It is with great sorrow that I hear of the passing of a longtime friend fellow worker hunting partner we spent many hours talking and sharing good times. I will miss him like I would miss a brother. Gary Reynolds

  2. Maurice & Ruth Eversgerd / November 18, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    We are saddened to hear that Jerry passed away. He was such a nice young man. We will keep all of you in our prayers!

  3. Dennis Boldrey / November 18, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    I am sorry for your loss I worked with Jerry at Ozark, TWA and American he was a joy to work with and we had some good times at work

  4. sharon burke / November 18, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    I’m so very sorry Jerry has passed. However, our Faith tells us that Heaven is a much greater place than we can’t even imagine. Now he has joined his parents. What a joyful reunion.

  5. Wilson / November 18, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    Jared, Jessica and Bret,
    Know we are thinking and praying for you at this difficult time. We enjoyed meeting Mr. Beckmann and Jared’s family at Kentucky Lake. Good times with good people!
    Shane, Barbara and Hayden

  6. Diane "Mert" Albers / November 18, 2020 at 10:10 pm

    I extend my sincere sympathy to your whole family. Marilyn, I don’t know any of your kids other than Janice & Daryl but with all of your family, I’m sure you will have a lot of support to help you thru this difficult time. I heard you too had been in the hospital and I hope you are taking care of yourself and staying well.

    Since you were married 50 years, I’m sure you have a lot of wonderful memories which will also help.

    Love and prayers to your family during this difficult time.

    Mert

  7. Todd Schrage / November 18, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    Jerry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He and Marilyn were always there for us. Jerry helped us build a tree house and swimming pool for his grandchildren, and taught me how to play euchre. Gone too soon. We will miss you.

  8. Mike and Diane Mueller / November 19, 2020 at 7:12 am

    Marilyn and family,
    We are deeply saddened with the loss of Uncle Jerry. He left a wonderful impression on everyone that knew him. This is a better world because of men like Uncle Jerry. We pray for the family left behind. It will be a monumental adjustment.

    Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

    Duck and Annie

  9. Nancy Wilson / November 19, 2020 at 8:14 am

    Marilyn, Jared, Janice,Cheryl,Donna,Lori, We are so sorry about Jerry’s passing. He was always so welcoming to our family and so much fun. I was impressed to see Jerry and Marilyn jump off the top of the houseboat. Oh, wait, Marilyn jumped and Jerry didn’t. We miss Jerry and he will always be in our hearts. Nancy & Bill Wilson

  10. C. Wilson / November 19, 2020 at 11:44 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with the BECKMANN FAMILY in their time of grief. There are no words to express how sorry I am for your loss. May ‘God’ give the Family peace during this most difficult time.
    (Psalm 4:8)

  11. Margaret Riley / November 19, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    I extend my deepest sympathy to the Beckman Family in your loss. I worked with Jerry at TWA and AA in STL A/C Maintenance, a great co-worker and lots of fun. May the Lord comfort you at this most difficult time. May he rest in Peace.

    Margaret Riley
    Hadley, Ma.

  12. John Kloecker / November 19, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss. I worked with Jerry at Ozark,TWA and American he was great to work with and a fun guy to be around. He also grew the best tomatoes. Please except your deepest sympathy.

  13. Dan C / November 19, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Cheryl – so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My deepest sympathy.

    Dan

  14. Joetta Huelsmann, PHJC / November 20, 2020 at 11:56 am

    My prayers and sympathy go out to each of you at the death of Jerry. I know he will be deeply missed.
    Sr. Joetta Huelsmann, PHJC

  15. Carol and Ray Barr / November 20, 2020 at 3:08 pm

    Dear Marilyn and family, We are so very sad for you all. We will miss our neighbor stopping by. He was always so pleasant to talk to. I hope you are healing Marilyn and I look forward to one of those walks we have talked about.
    Sincerely
    Ray and Carol

  16. Bernard and Betty Budde / November 22, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    To Marilyn and the Beckmann family,
    Our deepest sympathies on the death of Jerry.
    Bernard and Betty (Hemker) Budde

  17. Brad Korte / November 23, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    I think it was the first year of Jerry’s retirement, he came to Monday morning teardown of the Kirchenfest. We needed a forklift driver. He hopped on and did it every year since. We just planned on him being there.
    With all the people running around, he was safe and careful. He could see what needed to be done and got to it. He is missed. Our deepest sympathy.

    Brad and Jeannie Korte

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